Book picks similar to
Under A Desert Sky by Loren Lockner
romantic-suspense
mystery
tbr
e-books-unread
Merged With Him
Kylie Kent - 2021
A hot nightclub owner with darker interest. Two souls destined to merge as one, can they hold on to each other when someone is out to keep them apart?Alyssa Summers, orphaned and raised within a broken system, is a fighter. She has focused her entire life on one goal, to graduate collage and have a stable, steady career. Her job in one of Sydney’s busiest ER’s keeps her busy and the last thing on her mind is love. She learned the hard way not to rely on anyone other than herself. But when her eyes are captured by a pair of emerald green ones she can’t look away from, everything changes.The Merge is the place to go when looking to unwind and experience an exciting night out. The Ambitious and driven owner Zac Williamson knows what he wants and how to get it, and right now? He wants the beautiful blonde who just stepped into his club. When these two meet the sparks quickly explode into so much more. But are his secrets too twisted for her to accept? And even if she could, will she stay with him when she realizes that being his has put a deadly target on her back?
Through Love's Trials
Julie Coulter Bellon - 2004
2015**Attorney Kenneth King can't wait to get away on vacation and leave the courtroom behind. He only has one last errand to do for his boss―drop off a flash drive to fellow attorney Emma James. But as soon as the drive is in his hands, his boss is murdered and Kenneth becomes the next target. With nowhere left to turn, he reaches out to Emma for help―but that only puts them both in danger. Emma James just wants to settle into her new job and provide a good life for her little girl. That is all threatened when she gets a flash drive with information on it that points to an imminent terrorist attack on U.S. soil. With her choices dwindling and her vulnerabilities made crystal clear, Emma is pushed to the limit by those who want her dead and the rest of the country to suffer. How far will she be forced to go to save the lives of everyone around her, including those she loves? Kenneth and Emma have to find a way to work together to stop the terrorists, but it's the most difficult trial of their lives―and the verdict will be life or death.
A Killing Tide
P.J. Alderman - 2006
But now a man is dead, an arsonist has set the Anna Marie ablaze and her brother is missing, accused of both crimes. How much more can she take?THERE'S FIREMichael Chapman knows how to take the heat-- as the new fire chief of Astoria, Oregon, he's dealt with more than his share. No way can he afford to get involved with the sister of a suspect. But the scorching attraction between him and Kaz burns out of control and when someone takes a shot at her, his protective instincts kick in. Whatever happens, he can't allow another woman to die because of him.
The Vineyard in Alsace
Julie Stock - 2017
She knows this is the push she needs to break free of him and to leave London. She applies for her dream job on a vineyard in Alsace, in France, not far from her family home, determined to concentrate on her work. Didier Le Roy can hardly believe it when he sees that the only person to apply for the job on his vineyard is the same woman he once loved but let go because of his stupid pride. Now estranged from his wife, he longs for a second chance with Fran if only she will forgive him for not following her to London. Working so closely together, Fran soon starts to fall in love with Didier all over again. Didier knows that it is now time for him to move on with his divorce if he and Fran are ever to have a future together. Can Fran and Didier make their second chance at love work despite all the obstacles in their way? A romantic read set against the enticing backdrop of the vineyard harvest in France.
My Sister's Keeper
Edna Curry - 2011
She needs to meet her deadline and doesn’t have time to bail Jolene out of trouble for the umpteenth time. She’s sick of responsibility. But FBI agent Luke shows up, saying Jolene is part of a jewelry thief gang. Worse, Luke suspects Candi of being one of the thieves herself. Assigned to watch her, he finds himself falling for her and the cute baby, wanting her, but never gets involved with a suspect. Then they find that secrets from the past threaten Candi’s whole family.
A Texas State of Mind
Ann DeFee - 2005
But it gets even more hectic when she's hit by a double whammy– dead drug dealers floating ashore and Christian Delacroix, an undercover cop sent to investigate the murders. She doesn't need Mr. Tall, Dark and Dangerous on her mind–or messing with her lust-meter–while she's dealing with mayhem. On their first meeting Lolly makes quite an impression by zapping Christian with a taser–talk about shocking! Her dream is to meet a quiet, respectable man, not someone who wears a gun and deals with the dregs of society. Christian, on the other hand, is cozying up to Lolly's white picket fence kind of life with kids and a black shaggy dog. Set in a small beach town with an eccentric cast of characters, A Texas State of Mind is a fast-paced, fun story of love and family relationships. And BTW, who is that villain? "A Texas State of Mind is sexy, it's sassy, it's full of action and outrageous characters. The perfect summer read!" Debbie Macomber, New York Times bestselling author
A Cincinnati Love Story: Welcome to the Nasty Nati
Sherri Marie - 2019
Cincinnati, Ohio will either make or break you, it all depends on who you are. Deron "Killa" Hutchins earned his street name as an enforcer for one of the biggest kingpins in the city. Although respected and feared as a cold-blooded killer, Deron has a warm heart for those he loves, including his wife and grandmother. When a special assignment from his boss uncovers a shocking betrayal that scorches Deron's soul, all he can think of is murder, but that's easier said than done when it's his wife who has caused the carnage. In the blink of an eye, Jada went from happily engaged to single and mad as hell. Before she can even begin to process the end of her relationship, she is abducted and held captive in a luxurious environment, but she has no idea why. To add insult to injury, Jada finds herself drawn to Deron, her sexy, stoic captor. During her time in captivity, they become close, but the kidnapper and the kidnapped have more in common than they know, and the results could mean death for everyone.
When Love Walks Into His Life
Lilah Rivers - 2020
Having nowhere else to go, she turns to the man she met through a mail-order bride ad, Judd. To her horror, upon her arrival, she discovers that her husband-to-be has already married another woman! Broke and devastated, she feels hopeless, until she is offered a job by a handsome man, Simon, in his newspaper. Will he be the cure for her sad and lonely soul or another disappointment that will deeply stigmatize her? Will treacherous schemes and secrets keep her from following her heart?Simon Johnson runs the local newspaper successfully, but when his assistant is with child, he's left all alone to handle everything. Desperate to replace her the soonest possible, he meets the beautiful Sarah, who will be proven to be the light at the end of the tunnel. As they work together, he finds the spark between them very much alive and he tries to protect her from any threat at all costs, while giving her the peace and freedom she needs. When a great danger approaches, putting everything at risk, will Simon manage to read between the lines and protect her before it is too late?Sarah has finally found the heaven she's longed for all her life, while Simon has fallen utterly in love for the first time. Is their meeting a divine confirmation that better days are coming? Will fate bring Simon and Sarah to a place where they truly belong together or will jealousy, regrets, and fears drive them apart?
Helios Security: Box Set (Helios Security, #1-5)
Camilla Blake - 2020
Unless you’re Dr. Rhea Blumetti – who accidentally caused an international incident in South America. As though it’s not bad enough being the baby of a family in the bodyguard business, now Finn Mabrey has been assigned as her permanent solo detail. Her crush for oh, forever, now stuck protecting her ass from herself and the bad guys she ticked off.In the five year since they met, and their uh, interesting first meeting, Finn has tried to keep his distance from Rhea. Too many years, too many scars. But Rhea is keeping secrets about what happened in Columbia and Finn is determined to sort them out. She’s in over her head, he knows that much. He almost lost her once and that will never happen again. Except neither of them expected to enjoy all the time they’re getting to spend one-on-one. And how that might be more complicated than international criminals coming after them.MILOMilo “King” Kingsolver knows that Cassia Cafaro cannot keep a secret to save her life. Not that he minds; he’ll listen to her babble any day. But the beautiful, bubbly baker in a family of hard-asses has been off-limits from day one. But when Cassia asks him for one, itty-bitty favor – to be her bodyguard for a long weekend – Milo discovers no good deed goes unpunished. Especially when that deed involves the Cafaro sisters breaking the One Cafaro Family Rule while big brother Roman is away. No, not breaking. Already completely broken. Smashed to pieces. For the first time, Milo wishes he was wrong. Turns out Cassia can keep a secret. In fact, she’s been keeping a lot of them…EZRABodyguards probably shouldn’t bake or have existential crises. Ezra Blumetti used to like being the exception to the rule. Now he’d like the rulebook back. That is, until his next job crash lands onto his lap. Erin Miyaki. Brilliant, beautiful, on-top-of-the-world, Erin. His old nemesis, always ready to call him on said BS. Not only is she in danger – she might be more of a mess than he is. Stuck together, too, alone, he gets to call all the shots as her bodyguard. Which means payback. Erin should hate him all the more. Instead, they’re getting along. A little too well. As though Ezra’s existence wasn’t upside down enough, though, a family secret shows up on his doorstep, needing his help. A secret kept from Ezra. One Erin helped uncover.Once it was a game of who hated who more. Now the rules have changed and neither of them will ever be the same.WYLIEAntonia “Toni” Cafaro has everyone figured out. With one glaring exception. Wylie.Ever since the mountain man started working at Helios a decade ago – Wylie has provoked her. His unknowable, unfindable first name, his refusal to admit he has a past, and the lack of even one accidental physical touch between them. Then, after a small yet seismic shift between them – Wylie has the gall to vanish – promising Toni will never find him. She proves him wrong and it almost costs him his life. Now, as the clock runs out and they search for answers to keep the past from unraveling their future – Toni has to keep Wylie safe as they try to outwit a tangle of enemies – and each other. But it might be too late.ROMANWho fires the woman who saved your life? Roman Cafaro.Harlow has had the gamut of crappy bosses and pretentious men. But she never knew bone-deep, satisfying, and real hatred until him. Only Harlow can’t help herself from helping him. And it lands her in more danger than she realizes. Right in the line of fire of the man who paid for the match to be lit, who has been waiting for a chance to take down the Cafaro’s. Now Roman might end up paying Harlow back sooner than either of them expected. It will be a miracle if they both survive this, since they might kill each other first. Or fall in love. Hard to say which is more dangerous.
The Hitman's Mistake
Sally Brandle - 2018
But can she find him in time?The last person Grant Morley expects to discover on his annual supply run to a Montana mountain hermit is alluring Miranda Whitley, nearly dead from a bullet wound in her side. An accidental witness or the cold-blooded accomplice to would-be assassins?Miranda must convince Grant of her innocence, evade the killers intent on preventing her testimony, and fight her unwanted attraction for the agent…an attraction which seems to be mutual. Fortunately, love thrives in Emma Springs. If you love sizzling chemistry, Montana’s mountain landscape, and fast-paced action, then you’ll love Sally Brandle’s galloping thriller, The Hitman’s Mistake.
No News is Good News
Jade C. Jamison - 2011
She realizes early on that her college degree isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on, but she also knows that she doesn’t want to work for minimum wage the rest of her life.Her dream now? Learn the ropes as a novice reporter.The job’s been boring…until now. One of Winchester’s bad boys has been locked up for arson, but Nicki soon finds there’s a whole lot more to the story. Her naïveté gets her in hot water at every turn, but her gorgeous best friend Sean Ramsey, self-employed motorcycle mechanic, helps keep her in check.Unfortunately, he’s also distracting. And Nicki really needs to pay attention so she can write that story…before her name ends up in the obituary section.
The Secret Diary of an Arranged Marriage
Halima Khatun - 2020
A motley crew of men, some hoping it’s them. A mum on a mission to match make. And an age-old tradition with a twist. Welcome to the world of the arranged marriage. “While I’m young, (somewhat) free and single, time is - by Bengali standards - marching on. I’ve got to meet my dream man, or at least someone I can grow to like, and get married. The trouble is, having never fully fit in with my English friends or Asian community, I don’t really know what - or who – I’m looking for. Luckily (or not) for me, arranged marriages are still a thing. So alongside my own dating efforts, it’s everyone’s business - from my adorable yet overbearing mum, to pretend aunties and profiteering opportunists - to find me a match. With all this help, I’m pretty sure I’ll land a husband, but will he be ‘The One’?” The Secret Diary of an Arranged Marriage lifts the lid on the intriguing world of British-Bengali matrimony. The debut novel from former journalist Halima Khatun explores family, identity and belonging with acerbic humour. It’ll change your view of matchmaking for good…
The Bones of Others
Vickie McKeehan - 2013
Not this one.Brutalized as a young girl by a vile sexual predator, Skye Cree is a survivor. Guided by the visions of her mystical spirit guide to the whereabouts of abducted girls, she uses her unique abilities to turn her horrifying past into a positive force for justice. Fighting the demons that have haunted her for years, she trusts only in herself—until she falls hard for a man for the first time in her life. Now, discovering her abductor is back with a vengeance, she becomes locked in a deadly race against time to stop the horrors of an evil human-trafficking ring that threatens to tear her world, and her newfound love apart.
Blowback
Lisa Hughey - 2011
Now she lives alone, works alone, survives alone. When a covert mission goes horribly wrong, suddenly she can trust no one. Not her boss, not her agency, not even herself. Lucas Goodman, former FBI agent turned PI, is on the trail of a missing teenager when his investigation leads him to Jamie. Despite her attempts to ditch him, Lucas tenaciously continues to shadow Jamie, realizing he doesn’t just want information...he wants her. When their investigations collide and her sister is in danger, Jamie is forced to team up with Lucas. Together they must expose the connection between agents’ murders, a missing teenager, and a sixty-year-old government conspiracy. But can she open her heart to find the truth within the lies? been odd man out in his family. Not the oldest, not the most charming, he'd had a lock on the youngest until another half-sibling came to live with them, so he raised hell in his youth. Con knows now the only way to redeem himself is with deeds, not words and sets out to prove once and for all he is worthy of the Stone family. When his older brother asks him to take care of business, Con finally will have redemption he craves. Except when Ava Sanchez, his brother's assistant, is threatened, he must choose between saving the girl and protecting his family. Will his choice bring him love or break his heart?